– WILSON AND PETERSON TAKE JEEP LEADER JERSEY FOR FIRST TIME HEADING TO BELLS
– ROOKIE COLAPINTO FINDS PERFECTION AT FIRING KIRRA
– BUCHAN AND ANDREW SETTLE FOR SECOND PLACE AT PICTURE-PERFECT KIRRA

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Thursday, March 15, 2018) – The first stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, witnessed an incredible start to the season as Lakey Peterson (USA) and Julian Wilson (AUS) claimed victory today in extraordinary conditions at Kirra on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Unpredictable performances and massive upsets shocked surfing’s biggest stage at this year’s season opener to remind the world that anything can happen on the Championship Tour. In addition to Peterson and Wilson taking the wins today, a new generation of surfers stepped up to showcase their progression, determination, and potential.

Peterson blitzed through the competition with the goal to surpass her 2017 Roxy Pro runner-up finish. The Californian was unstoppable as she took down two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, Malia Manuel (HAW) in the Semifinals, and Keely Andrew (AUS) in the Final.

“I don’t even know what to say to say — there is too much emotion,” Peterson said. “I feel like I’ve been working for seven years to get another win. Just to finally have it, it’s super surreal, and I’m so grateful. It beats you down if you don’t ever win something. It’s been a while, so the hard work pays off. I just got such a great support crew. It’s so awesome. Mike [Parsons] and I have literally been working together forever and that win means so much to the both of us.”

Peterson is one of the most consistent high-scoring surfers on Tour and continues to push performance boundaries in the competitive space. The intensity and innovation brought by Peterson are now paying off with her first CT win since 2012. Last season, the Californian had previously earned runner-up finishes at this event and in France but now overtakes Wright for the top spot on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I’m going to hold onto that Jeep yellow jersey until the very last event,” continued Peterson. “My goal is to stay steady the whole year and just believe in myself and enjoy the ride. I feel like I’m finally comfortable with my life and with my surfing where I just really want to enjoy it. Thanks to the WSL for giving us such great conditions today, and pushing us and really helping us elevate our level. It’s just such a fun time to be a part of it all, and I just feel humbled and blessed to be here doing what I love.”

Peterson dominated the Final from the get-go, posting an excellent 8.00 point ride for a long barrel ride. She then backed it up immediately with a 7.67, leaving Andrew in a combination situation (needing two scores). Andrew was unable to find a wave of substance, which left Peterson to take the first event win of 2018.

Previously, Andrew took down Australian superstar Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in the Semifinals and six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. The runner-up result for Andrew is the second Finals appearance of her career. Andrew, who powerfully charged into the new season, will look to continue to climb the rankings and earn her first CT victory. The 23-year-old Australian will now vault from 11th to 2nd on the Jeep Leaderboard.

Wilson has had a rollercoaster start to his season after injuring his shoulder in late January, then welcoming his child into the world with his wife, Ashley, last week. The Sunshine Coast local was unsure if he would compete at this event but surprised all with the first win of the season and the fourth CT win of his career.

“This is a childhood dream come true to come down from the Sunshine Coast and win the Quiksilver Pro,” Wilson said. “This is the closest event to home for me and watching guys win this event when I was younger is what lit the fire for me to want to be on Tour, so to win, is very special. I learned a lot about myself at this event, and through this injury, and the birth of my baby girl, Olivia, and my wife, Ashley. Honestly, watching the birth of my first child gave me an unbelievable strength to just suck up the pain in my shoulder, and come down here, and do what I needed to do. My wife has been a huge inspiration through the whole experience, so I want to thank Ashley for that.”

Wilson has always been in the World Title conversation, but this win provides the 29-year-old with his best ever start to his Title campaign. Wilson will sport the yellow Jeep Leader Jersey heading into the next stop on the CT, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach competition, which starts March 28 and runs through April 8, 2018.

“I’m happy to have a better result in Australia than I did after all three events in Australia last year,” continued Wilson. “There’s a massive positive in that. I’m looking forward to Bells, to compete again and work off this injury.”

The intense men’s Final saw the two Australians, Wilson and Adrian Buchan (AUS), punch wave-for-wave, fighting their way out of massive tubes for the win. Wilson kicked off the heat with a fiery start, a near-perfect 9.93, by coming out of a huge barrel. Wilson and Buchan continued to charge the Kirra sets, resulting in a close race for first. Buchan attacked back with a 6.50 and an 8.60 but was unable to overtake his compatriot.

Having won two CT events in his career, Buchan is no stranger to the pressure on the big stage. The technically-gifted, rail-surfer moved through the field with precision, even on the final day, where the hollow Kirra waves would put most goofy-footers at a disadvantage. In the end, Buchan was up against the ropes with a rampaging Wilson running away with the lead, but he admitted that he was happy to finish second to his close friend.

“Obviously you want to win events, but I’m so happy to see Julian [Wilson] take this one out,” Buchan said. “I know he’s had so much to deal with recently with his injury and becoming a father, so this win would feel so amazing for him. Sharing pumping Kirra with one other person out — who happens to be your mate — is incredible. I don’t think you could ask for anything better than that.”

Griffin Colapinto (USA), the standout rookie from San Clemente California, amazed the world today with the first Perfect 10 of the 2018 CT season. Colapinto miraculously made his way out of three deep barrels in one wave to set the bar for the new season.

“I’ve never had three barrels on one wave so it felt amazing, particularly in a heat,” Colapinto said. “I think it was the best wave of my life. I’m so happy to get third in my first event. I’m loving the CT and hope I won’t be going anywhere for a very long time. I’m loving it here in Australia, the people on the Gold Coast are the best.”

The 19-year-old has been outshining surfing’s veterans in the first event of his rookie season, including his wins over Joel Parkinson (AUS), the 2012 WSL Champion and Gold Coast favorite, and veteran Michel Bourez (PYF). Unfortunately, Colapinto was unable to advance out of his Semifinal matchup against Wilson but will still exit as the rising-star of the event. All eyes will be on the young challenger this season to see how far he will push professional surfing in his rookie year.

Owen Wright (AUS), 2017 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner, was stopped in the first Quarterfinal by Buchan after struggling to find a rhythm at Kirra. Wright will exit with a 5th place result, moving to 5th on the Jeep Leaderboard.

Earlier today, rookie Tomas Hermes (BRA) delivered another shock to the first event of the year by eliminating Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Quarterfinals. Toledo’s result will boost him from 10th to equal 5th on the Jeep Leaderboard. Hermes’ Semifinal result blasts him up to 3rd on the rankings and well in the 2018 Rookie of the Year race.

The world’s best surfers will now head to Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro, Stop No. 2 on the WSL Championship Tour, starting March 28 through April 8, 2018.

About WSL

The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.

The WSL has been championing the world’s best surfing since 1976, annually running in excess of 180 global events across the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed world champions in Men’s, Women’s across all divisions within the tour.

Showcasing the world’s best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Tyler Wright, John John Florence, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Taylor Jensen, Honolua Blomfield, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Monday, March 12, 2018) – The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), continued today with the women’s Semifinalists decided in clean three-to-four foot (1 – 1.2 metre) waves. With the conditions holding up all day, event officials decided to run through Rounds 2, 3, and the Quarterfinals. Now only four surfers remain in contention for the 2018 Roxy Pro Gold Coast title.

In what was undoubtedly the upset of the entire event, six-time Roxy Pro Gold Coast event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was taken down by fellow Queenslander Keely Andrew (AUS). Six-time WSL Champion Gilmore looked in good touch throughout the day but fell victim to a slow ocean in Quarterfinal 4 waiting with priority until the final minutes, only to find a midrange score. Needing to improve her situation in the dying seconds, Andrew took off on a smaller wave and got to work, tagging it all the way down the point to post a 6-point ride and progress into the Semifinals. Gilmore finishes her home event in a respectable Equal 5th position.

“I’m a bit shocked right now,” Andrew said. “Surfing out here against Steph [Gilmore] at her home break was incredible. The waves looked fun all day, but it slowed down a lot in our Quarterfinal. I was so nervous because she only needed a small score, and I only found out that I’d won when I got back to the surfer’s area. I’ve worked really hard in the offseason and it feels so good to know that the hard work has paid off.”

2017 Roxy Pro Gold Coast runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA) was in ominous form today. The Californian posted excellent scores all the way to the Quarterfinals where she eventually eliminated reigning WSL Champion and current World No. 1, Tyler Wright (AUS). Peterson’s trademark frontside arcs sent a shot over the bow of her fellow competitors as she hunts for her first CT Victory since 2012.

“It’s crazy — it’s only two days into the season and I’m into the Semis,” Peterson said. “We’ve had perfect, quintessential Snapper today with long perfect waves and sunshine. Tyler [Wright] is a two-time World Champion for a reason and she’s someone I look up to, but I always feel like I surf my best against the best. The only option I had to beat her was for me to surf my best, so I couldn’t hold back. There was nothing I could do to change her surfing, so I just focused on mine and it worked out in the end.”

After an injury-plagued 2017 season, Hawaii’s Malia Manuel comes into 2018 with the aim of involving herself heavily in the World Title conversation from the start of the season. The stylish natural-footer has already achieved this with an amazing display at Snapper Rocks. Manuel’s best performance came in Quarterfinal 2 where she posted one of the highest heat totals of the event, a 15.83 (out of a possible 20), to overcome three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), who leaves in Equal 5th place.

“I’ve met Carissa [Moore] in the Quarters a couple of times here in the past and she’s beaten me every single time,” Manuel said. “I remember some of those matchups and they were a bit slow and hard to choose what waves to take, but today we had so many waves and this is exactly what you want from your first event of the year. This will be my first Semi at Snapper and it’s a great start to the year for me. Hopefully, I can use this momentum as it’s a long year ahead.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) advances to the Quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast after placing second in Heat 4 of Round 3 at Snapper Rocks, QLD, Australia.

Current World No. 3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) looked destined to end up in the Semifinals as she tore through the field at Snapper Rocks. In Quarterfinal 3, she had the tough task of challenging 2018 CT Rookie Caroline Marks (USA) — who had been taking down the big names all day — with an impressive display of backhand surfing. Marks’ run came to an end at the hands of Fitzgibbons who was on fire, posting the highest heat total of the entire event, a 16.57 (out of a possible 20).

“It feels so good to be out there on a dreamy day like this,” Fitzgibbons said. “The waves have this perfect shape to them. I was out there in my own world enjoying surfing and I’ve found myself in the Semis. It’s been an exciting day to watch. There’s been a lot of excellent surfing and fins being thrown and I really enjoy the progressive side of the sport. I’ve been having so much fun in my freesurfs, and I’ve been trying to bring some of that into my heat surfing.”

Although Marks was unable to overcome Fitzgibbons, she finishes her first CT event as a rookie in Equal 5th after taking down some of surfing’s biggest names including Sage Erickson (USA), Silvana Lima (BRA), and Gilmore.

“I think a few years ago, I would have been star-struck and not sure of what to do out there,” Marks said. “But now, even though they’re my idols, I really want to beat them and go and out and perform and win. Today wasn’t my day, but I just need to focus on the positives.”

Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:

Mid period, mid size E swell from former Cyclone Hola will likely build in through Tuesday. Confidence is increasing that a new low/tropical cyclone will set up larger ENE to E swell Wed-Thu, easing slowly into and over the weekend as the swell direction shifts more ESE/SE. Long range guidance points to more mid size ESE/SE swell around the last couple days of the event window.

About WSL

The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.

The WSL has been championing the world’s best surfing since 1976, annually running in excess of 180 global events across the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed world champions in Men’s, Women’s across all divisions within the tour.

Showcasing the world’s best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Tyler Wright, John John Florence, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Taylor Jensen, Honolua Blomfield, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.

We hope you had a fun Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Wherever you are in the country, here are some surf shop specials, discount offers, and surf-related coupon codes for Cyber Monday. We will add additional ones as they cross our desk. Happy shopping!

Disclosure/DisclaimerAny offers listed above are provided by way of affiliations, colleagues, or paid insertions. Translation: If you buy anything from the brands listed above, JettyGirl will get a small percentage. Thank you for your continued support of independent surf publishing. Please note that while we do our best to make sure these are current, we have no control over or offer any guarantees as to the validity of the deals or discounts offered by these vendors.

With each new clip that Kelly Slater Wave Co releases, the legend grows. In an edit that dropped on Thanksgiving, Malia Manuel, Coco Ho, Sage Erickson, and Lakey Peterson score barrel after barrel in glassy, pristine conditions. If smiles are an accurate indicator of being thankful, this clip contains more gratitude than any other we’ve seen. Love this video!!!

Brazilian-born surfer, Luiza Campos, is one of our favorite photographers and while checking out some of her work online, we stumbled upon a surf session of hers in Malibu, California. This short film is part of Luiza and her husband, Stephan Figueiredo’s Golden State Series and touches on what most of us know we’ll be facing when we surf the iconic point break—-fun, peeling waves but out-of-this-world crowds.

Film Description

Continuing our ‘The Golden State Series’, we capture Luiza Campos during a sunny California afternoon riding the wave that gave birth to surfing on the west coast – Malibu.

This wave has it’s bittersweet moments. Flawless in every way, yet unbearably crowded. You can spend hours out there before you catch a one, and most likely you will be sharing it with five other people you have never seen before. But, there is always that one ride that makes it worth the effort.

As the world continues to get smaller and more people continue to flood to the same places, it’s hard not to let your mind wander to somewhere far away, where maybe there is another undiscovered Malibu with no one around.

Within the chaos and with much patience, Luiza finds her space amongst a sea full of strangers.

While there has been much written about the “Brazilian Storm” in men’s surfing, women’s surfing in South America has flown a bit under the radar. We’ve often covered Silvana Lima and Sofia Mulanovich on JettyGirl over the years, but there are many other amazing surfers from the continent who haven’t been written about in North America’s surf publications. We’re setting out to change that. We won’t be able to cover everyone, but slowly but surely we will do our best to make known some surfers you may not have seen before. Case in point is Gilvanilta Ferreira, a surfer we hadn’t heard of before we saw some clips on her Instagram a few months back. With sick style and a solid bag of tricks, this will surely not be the last you hear about Gil’s surfing. We cant wait to see how much further she takes her airs into the future.

“I used to sell coconuts at the beach with my family. Since then I always watched the boys surfing, but I didn’t have a board. Instead, I used the cooler lids of the coconuts for surfing, but my mom was mad at me because I used to break all of them. Since those days, I just fell in love with surfing.”

From hitting the gym to wrapping turns on her Carver Skateboards model to transferring all her hard work to the water, Courtney On Board has something special for every fan of Courtney Conlogue. A highlight for us is how seamlessly Courtney transfers her concrete carves to the same type of turns in the surf.

“Once you get to a certain point, you need to inspire yourself somehow …to be the best you and to not follow others, but to create yourself.”

Film Description

Courtney had been training on a Carver for several years before we sponsored her, so by the time we met about designing her model, she had plenty of ideas, from the shape and length to the graphic. Short and wide was her mantra, so she can practice maneuvers with great control and precision proportionate to her size. This premium skate features an eco-certified Walnut veneer bottom.

I’ve had the honor and privilege of photographing Courtney Conlogue at various times over the past eight years or so and the single greatest thing I’ve personally learned from her is the importance of discipline. From watching her approach to amateur contests as a young surfer to school to training to nutrition to the injuries and other obstacles she’s faced and overcome on the World Tour–she has always been on top of things in a way that screams champion, not just in sport but in life in general.

“The discipline aspect is so natural for me now because it’s been bred into every aspect of my life–from doing chores, to going to school, to doing my homework, to having a routine in the morning before I went to school …trying to work on my pop-ups in surfing when I was a little grom to get my pop-ups faster and other little things like that just to create a habit.”

In this episode of Billabong Women’s “Salt Water Sirens” series, Courtney goes on to speak about her childhood, the importance of her family, and her general approach to life.

“I love to laugh and I love to explore. I love to just be. I’m not someone who tries to overly plan something. I do plan for the future, but I don’t stress on it. I try to follow my instincts with whatever I do and back myself all the way.”

The video touches on those excruciating moments at Honolua Bay last season when the World Title slipped away, but far from being permanently devastated by it, Courtney took a few days to deal with the situation, put it behind her, and got back to work for the year ahead.

This short film is amazing and for those who care to listen to Courtney’s words, there are lessons here that could apply to any of us–parents, kids, athletes, and coaches. This being a surfing site, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention her surfing and like always, Courtney delivers with true power and creativity. Congratulations to Courtney, her family, Billabong, Collective Digital Cinema, and everyone else who has a hand in the “Salt Water Sirens” series. Really solid effort by everyone involved. Five out of five stars!!

Film Description

Every athlete will face that moment before the action begins. It’s filled with quiet determination, sharp focus, the sound of blood pounding in her ears. It’s the culmination of years of training, resilience, defeat and success, the moment that defines a champion.

For the second installment of Billabong’s Salt Water Sirens series we take an intimate look into the mindset of Courtney Conlogue, who suffered a brutal surfing injury that forced her to the sidelines as she watched her world title hopes slip out of reach. After a year of mental and physical healing, Courtney fought her way back to her strongest year ever, propelled by three World Tour wins which landed her at the #2 spot in the world. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, can her unparalleled dedication to her sport take her from the peripherals of the world’s eye to the focus: the Women’s World Title?

From the experiences that shaped her to the drive that energizes her through the dynamic landscape of competitive surfing, Salt Water Sirens is a compelling look into the journey that has transformed Courtney from an athlete to an icon.

The Women and the Waves 2 Premieres at the San Luis Obispo International Film FestivalMission Cinemas, Friday, March 18, 2016, 4pm – 1025 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo

Our great friend, Heather Hudson, is set to premiere her new film, The Women and the Waves 2, in San Luis Obispo in a few short weeks on March 18. If you happen to be anywhere close to that area of the coast, be sure and check out her latest film. Tickets sold at the door so bring all your friends and line up early. The Women and the Waves 2 stars Jeannette Prince, Kristy Murphy, Mary Bagalso, Ashley Lloyd Thompson, Demi Boelsterli, and Isabelle Radis.

Film DescriptionThe Women and the Waves 2 is a documentary surf film that celebrates women and their unique approach to surfing and life. The film looks at the state of surfing today from a feminine perspective and features positive role models that give back to people and the planet.

Following in the footsteps of the groundbreaking 2009 film, THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES; THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES 2 continues to explore the culture of surfing in relation to six surfers and their lives both in and out of the water.

The launch point of inspiration to make this film came in the fall of 2013 when two friends featured in THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES experienced two pivotal moments in their lives. After a valiant twenty-year battle against cancer, Robin Janiszeufski-Hesson ‘Zeuf’ was a few months away from death, and Ashley Lloyd Thompson was a few months from giving birth. One goes out. One comes in. Life rolls on. Just like the waves that are eternal.

When someone we love dies, we stop, breathe and reassess our own lives. Zeuf was a friend and mentor to many and an inspiration to all. We only have the present moment, so how will we live it?

THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES 2 emphasizes the notion that surfing is more than just a sport; it is a lifestyle, and serves as a backdrop for connections made between people, honoring the natural world, paying homage to loved ones past, and celebrating the cycle of life. Ultimately, the film is the portrayal that a life filled with gratitude for one another and the world we live in, is a life well lived. And when the joy of surfing is added to the equation it makes life that much more sweet!

For upcoming screenings, information, or to purchase the original, award-winning 2009 film, The Women and the Waves, please visit womenandthewaves.com.